Crown Resorts chief executive Carruthers has resigned, according to multiple media outlets cited by trade publication iGaming Business. The same reports say president and chief operating officer David Tsai will replace him from 1 September and will hold the role until a permanent successor is found. The source material does not include a formal statement from Crown on the succession arrangements, and it does not say how long the search for a permanent chief executive is expected to take.
What has been reported
According to The Nightly, Carruthers said "now is an appropriate time to depart and pursue other interests". He reportedly also told staff he was proud of their work over the past two years. These are the executive's own characterisations, and the source does not say whether any other factor influenced the timing.
The Financial Review, as cited, said Carruthers shepherded Crown through regulatory tumult and government sanctions over the last two years. It reported that the casino had violated anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism laws. It also said he oversaw a restructuring that included cutting more than 1,000 jobs.
"We have successfully steered Crown Resorts through a period of intensive transformation and remediation, culminating in Crown Melbourne and Sydney being deemed suitable by their respective state regulators and the Crown Perth transformation programme now well progressed." – Carruthers, as reported by The Nightly
That assessment is Carruthers' own. The source notes that earlier this year he expressed confidence in Crown keeping its licences in Sydney and Melbourne, and describes both as successful. It also says Crown is still awaiting the outcome of a review into its Perth operations.
Executive reshuffle and background
The announcement came about a month after Crown reshuffled its executive suite. At that time, Tsai, formerly head of Crown's Perth property, was moved into an executive role. Brian Pereira was elevated from chief financial officer of Crown Perth to interim chief executive while a search was undertaken. Nicole Pelchen became chief technology officer, and Gemma Allman was hired as chief government relations officer. The source does not clarify which entity or role Pereira's interim position relates to, or how it fits with Tsai's reported move into the chief executive role.
Separately, casino officer Justin Casey is due to end his role on 31 August and plans to retire, the source says.
Carruthers, an Irishman, was one of several high-profile casino executives brought in by Blackstone after it acquired Crown in 2022 for AU$8.9bn. He joined after decades at casinos including Wynn Macau.
His tenure was not free of controversy. In December 2023 he was investigated over allegations that he had overruled security officers who had banned intoxicated customers. It was claimed he allowed patrons back into Crown's Melbourne casino after security had removed them. According to the source, he was cleared of any wrongdoing the following February.
What is not disclosed
The source does not say whether Crown's board or Blackstone has set a timeline for naming a permanent chief executive. It does not give a date for the outcome of the Perth review, or say whether the resignation is connected to that review. It also does not provide any detail on the terms of Carruthers' departure.
This story concerns licensed, land-based casinos. Online casino services remain prohibited in Australia under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.